Abstract

The -electron delocalisation in conjugated thienylenevinylenes bearing arylethenyl chromophores,makes those materials interesting candidates for electro-optic applications. In this study, wereport the results of electrochemical and UVVis/ESR spectroelectrochemical studies of a pair ofthienylenevinylenes substituted by the 4-cyanostyryl group, bearing either a hydrogen, or methyl groupterminated carbons at the peripheral thiophene rings. The reactivity of various functional segments ofinvestigated molecules was assessed by comparing the reactivity of the protected and unprotected counterpartsand the behaviour of their electrooxidation products. For the capped derivative, two irreversibleanodic redox processes giving electrochemically inactive products were observed, while the uncappedmolecule yields electroactive materials already upon its first oxidation step.